This Comprehensive Safety Program has been developed for C&C Excavation and Utilities LLC to establish company-wide health and safety procedures for excavation, trenching, underground utility construction, confined space entry, heavy equipment operations, and related civil construction activities.

This document is intended to provide detailed guidance for employees, supervisors, competent persons, subcontractors, and visitors involved in excavation and underground utility work. The goal of this program is to prevent injuries, fatalities, property damage, utility strikes, cave-ins, atmospheric hazards, equipment accidents, and environmental incidents.

This program is based upon applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards including but not limited to:

• OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Construction Standards
• OSHA Subpart P – Excavations
• OSHA Subpart AA – Confined Spaces in Construction
• OSHA Subpart O – Motor Vehicles and Mechanized Equipment
• OSHA Subpart E – Personal Protective Equipment
• OSHA Subpart K – Electrical Safety
• OSHA Subpart G – Signs, Signals, and Barricades
• OSHA Subpart CC – Cranes and Derricks
• MUTCD Traffic Control Standards

This safety program shall be reviewed annually and updated as regulations, operations, and company procedures evolve.

C&C Excavation and Utilities LLC is fully committed to maintaining a safe and healthful workplace for all employees, subcontractors, vendors, and visitors. Safety is considered a core operational value and shall never be compromised for production, scheduling, or financial gain.

Every employee has the authority and responsibility to stop work when unsafe conditions exist. No employee shall be disciplined or retaliated against for reporting hazards, near misses, unsafe conditions, injuries, or safety concerns.

The company recognizes excavation, trenching, underground utility installation, confined space entry, and heavy equipment operations as high-hazard activities requiring detailed planning, strict supervision, competent personnel, and continuous hazard assessment.

The company will:

• Provide employees with proper safety training
• Maintain OSHA-compliant work practices
• Supply required personal protective equipment
• Conduct regular safety meetings and inspections
• Investigate all incidents and near misses
• Enforce safety rules consistently
• Correct unsafe conditions immediately
• Maintain open communication regarding safety concerns

Safety is the responsibility of every employee regardless of job title or position.

Company management shall:

• Provide adequate resources for safety implementation
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations
• Ensure competent persons are designated for excavation activities
• Provide employee training
• Enforce disciplinary procedures for safety violations
• Conduct periodic audits of safety performance
• Maintain all required documentation and records
• Ensure emergency response procedures are established

Supervisors shall:

• Conduct daily safety briefings
• Ensure employees understand job hazards
• Verify employees are properly trained
• Correct unsafe conditions immediately
• Enforce PPE requirements
• Ensure excavations are inspected daily
• Coordinate utility locates and permits
• Monitor employee performance and compliance

A competent person is an individual capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards and authorized to take prompt corrective action.

Competent persons for excavation and trenching operations shall:

• Classify soil conditions
• Inspect excavations daily
• Inspect excavations after rainstorms or hazardous occurrences
• Verify protective systems are installed correctly
• Ensure access and egress requirements are met
• Identify atmospheric hazards
• Monitor water accumulation
• Stop work when hazards exist
• Maintain excavation documentation

Employees shall:

• Follow all safety procedures
• Wear required PPE
• Attend required safety training
• Report unsafe conditions immediately
• Follow instructions from supervisors and competent persons
• Never enter unprotected trenches
• Never remove trench safety equipment without authorization
• Maintain housekeeping standards
• Use tools and equipment properly

All employees shall receive training before performing excavation or utility work.

Training topics shall include:

• Excavation hazards
• Cave-in prevention
• Soil classification
• Trench protective systems
• Confined space hazards
• Atmospheric testing
• Utility strike prevention
• Equipment operation safety
• Traffic control procedures
• Heat stress prevention
• Fall protection
• Hazard communication
• Emergency response procedures
• PPE requirements
• Electrical hazard awareness
• Lockout/tagout procedures

Training shall be documented and maintained in company records.

Employees performing specialized tasks such as confined space entry, equipment operation, rigging, or flagging shall receive additional task-specific training.

Refresher training shall occur:

• Annually
• After incidents or near misses
• When procedures change
• When deficiencies are observed
• When new hazards are introduced

All employees and visitors entering active jobsites shall wear required PPE.

Minimum required PPE includes:

• ANSI-approved hard hats
• Safety glasses with side shields
• High-visibility reflective vest or shirt
• Work gloves
• Steel-toe work boots
• Long pants

Additional PPE may include:

• Hearing protection
• Respiratory protection
• Face shields
• Arc flash protection
• Chemical-resistant gloves
• Fall arrest harnesses
• Protective suits

PPE shall:

• Be maintained in good condition
• Be inspected before use
• Be replaced if damaged
• Fit properly
• Meet ANSI or OSHA standards

Employees failing to wear required PPE may be removed from the jobsite.

Excavation and trenching work is among the most hazardous operations in construction. Cave-ins can occur suddenly and without warning, often resulting in serious injury or death.

No employee shall enter an excavation unless:

• The excavation has been inspected by a competent person
• Utilities have been located
• Protective systems are installed when required
• Atmospheric hazards have been evaluated
• Access and egress are provided
• Spoil piles are properly positioned

Before excavation begins:

• 811 shall be contacted
• Utility owners shall mark underground facilities
• Utility markings shall be verified visually
• Exposed utilities shall be protected
• Utility crossing procedures shall be discussed during safety meetings

Utilities may include:

• Water lines
• Sewer lines
• Gas lines
• Electric lines
• Fiber optic lines
• Communication lines
• Storm drainage systems

Employees shall never assume utility depths or locations are accurate.

Hand digging, vacuum excavation, or soft digging methods shall be used near utilities.

The competent person shall inspect excavations:

• Daily before work begins
• After rainstorms
• After vibration events
• After soil changes
• After freezing or thawing conditions
• After nearby traffic impacts
• After protective system adjustments

Inspection items shall include:

• Soil conditions
• Cracks or fissures
• Water accumulation
• Protective system integrity
• Spoil pile placement
• Equipment positioning
• Atmospheric hazards
• Access/egress conditions
• Adjacent structures
• Surface encumbrances

Soil classification is critical for determining proper protective systems.

OSHA soil classifications include:

Natural solid mineral matter that can remain vertical during excavation.

Most stable cohesive soils including:

• Clay
• Silty clay
• Hardpan

Type A soil shall not include:

• Previously disturbed soil
• Vibrating soil conditions
• Water-saturated soil
• Cracked soil

Medium stability soils including:

• Silt
• Sandy loam
• Previously disturbed soils

Least stable soils including:

• Gravel
• Sand
• Submerged soil
• Water-saturated soil
• Unstable fill material

Type C soil is the most dangerous classification and requires the greatest protection.

Protective systems are required in excavations 5 feet deep or greater unless stable rock exists.

Protective systems include:

Sloping involves cutting trench walls back at an angle away from the excavation.

Maximum allowable slopes:

• Type A: 3/4:1
• Type B: 1:1
• Type C: 1.5:1

Benching creates stepped excavation walls.

Benching is prohibited in Type C soil.

Shoring uses hydraulic, pneumatic, or timber supports to prevent soil movement.

Shoring systems shall:

• Be installed according to manufacturer specifications
• Be inspected daily
• Be maintained properly
• Be installed from the top down when possible

Shielding systems include trench boxes and trench shields.

Employees inside trench boxes shall:

• Remain inside shielded areas
• Avoid standing near unsupported trench walls
• Exit when trench boxes are moved

Trench boxes shall extend above surrounding soil when possible.

Cave-ins are the leading cause of fatalities in trenching operations.

Common causes include:

• Lack of protective systems
• Improper soil classification
• Water accumulation
• Heavy equipment vibration
• Spoil piles too close to edges
• Weather conditions
• Undermining structures

Employees shall never:

• Enter unprotected trenches
• Work under suspended loads
• Stand beneath raised buckets
• Work beneath unsupported pipe
• Bypass trench safety requirements

Spoil piles shall be kept at least 2 feet from trench edges.

Spoil pile hazards include:

• Falling material
• Increased wall pressure
• Edge collapse
• Reduced worker visibility

Safe access and egress shall be provided in trenches 4 feet deep or greater.

Requirements include:

• Ladders every 25 feet of lateral travel
• Ladders extending 3 feet above landing surfaces
• Secure ladder placement
• Clear access routes

Employees shall never jump into or out of excavations.

Employees shall not work in excavations where water accumulation exists unless protective measures are implemented.

Water hazards include:

• Soil instability
• Drowning hazards
• Equipment instability
• Electrical hazards

Water control methods may include:

• Pumps
• Dewatering systems
• Diversion ditches
• Well point systems

Excavations near structures require additional precautions.

Protective measures may include:

• Shoring
• Underpinning
• Structural engineering review
• Monitoring for movement

Heavy equipment operating near excavations can create collapse hazards.

Requirements include:

• Maintaining safe distances from edges
• Using barricades when visibility is limited
• Spotters when backing equipment
• Preventing surcharge loads near trench edges

Confined spaces present serious hazards including oxygen deficiency, toxic atmospheres, engulfment, entrapment, and hazardous energy.

This section establishes procedures for identifying and safely entering confined spaces.

A confined space is an area that:

• Is large enough for an employee to enter
• Has limited means of entry or exit
• Is not designed for continuous occupancy

Examples include:

• Manholes
• Wet wells
• Lift stations
• Utility vaults
• Sewer structures
• Pipelines
• Tanks
• Storm drain structures

Permit-required confined spaces may contain:

• Hazardous atmospheres
• Engulfment hazards
• Internal configuration hazards
• Mechanical hazards
• Electrical hazards
• Chemical hazards

Oxygen levels below 19.5% are dangerous and can cause:

• Dizziness
• Unconsciousness
• Brain injury
• Death

Hazardous gases may include:

• Hydrogen sulfide
• Carbon monoxide
• Methane
• Chlorine
• Sewer gases

Workers may become engulfed by:

• Water
• Sewage
• Sand
• Soil
• Sludge

Mechanical hazards include:

• Pumps
• Mixers
• Rotating equipment
• Valves
• Pressurized systems

Permit-required confined spaces shall require written entry permits.

Permits shall include:

• Location identification
• Hazard identification
• Atmospheric test results
• Authorized entrants
• Attendant names
• Rescue procedures
• Required PPE
• Communication methods
• Isolation procedures

Permits shall be maintained onsite during entry operations.

Atmospheric testing shall occur:

• Before entry
• Continuously during occupancy when required
• After interruptions in work

Testing order:

1. Oxygen content
2. Flammable gases
3. Toxic gases

Acceptable entry conditions:

• Oxygen: 19.5% to 23.5%
• Flammable atmosphere: Below 10% LEL
• Toxic atmospheres below permissible exposure limits

Mechanical ventilation shall be used when necessary to maintain safe atmospheres.

Ventilation systems shall:

• Supply fresh air continuously
• Prevent recirculation of contaminated air
• Be monitored throughout entry

Hazardous energy sources shall be isolated before entry.

Energy sources include:

• Electrical
• Hydraulic
• Pneumatic
• Mechanical
• Chemical

Isolation methods include:

• Locking disconnects
• Closing valves
• Blocking moving parts
• Disconnecting power sources

Rescue procedures shall be established before entry.

Rescue equipment may include:

• Tripods
• Winches
• Retrieval lines
• Full-body harnesses
• Breathing apparatus

Non-entry rescue methods shall be used whenever possible.

Employees shall never enter a confined space to attempt rescue unless properly trained and equipped.

Attendants shall:

• Remain outside the confined space
• Maintain communication with entrants
• Monitor atmospheric conditions
• Prevent unauthorized entry
• Initiate emergency response when needed

Entrants shall:

• Follow permit requirements
• Wear required PPE
• Maintain communication
• Exit immediately when hazards arise
• Report unsafe conditions

Underground utility construction involves numerous hazards including trench collapses, utility strikes, confined spaces, heavy equipment operations, and hazardous atmospheres.

Employees working on water systems shall:

• Verify line depressurization when required
• Use proper tapping procedures
• Use approved restraints and fittings
• Maintain trench safety at all times
• Control water accumulation

Sewer operations present additional hazards including:

• Biological hazards
• Toxic gases
• Oxygen deficiency
• Confined spaces

Employees shall:

• Conduct atmospheric monitoring
• Wear proper PPE
• Use sanitation procedures
• Decontaminate equipment when necessary

Storm drainage operations may involve:

• Deep excavations
• Water accumulation
• Large diameter pipe
• Confined spaces

Protective systems shall be maintained throughout installation activities.

Only trained and authorized employees may operate heavy equipment.

Equipment includes:

• Excavators
• Backhoes
• Dozers
• Loaders
• Skid steers
• Compactors
• Trenchers
• Cranes

Operators shall inspect:

• Brakes
• Tires/tracks
• Hydraulic systems
• Backup alarms
• Horns
• Lights
• Safety devices
• Seat belts
• Fluid levels

Defective equipment shall be removed from service immediately.

Operators shall:

• Wear seat belts
• Maintain safe speeds
• Use spotters when needed
• Stay clear of trench edges
• Maintain equipment stability
• Avoid overhead hazards
• Never allow riders unless authorized

Employees shall remain clear of swing radiuses.

Work zones exposed to traffic shall comply with MUTCD standards.

Traffic control plans may include:

• Warning signs
• Cones
• Barricades
• Arrow boards
• Temporary signals
• Flaggers

Flaggers shall:

• Wear high-visibility apparel
• Use approved paddles
• Maintain communication
• Stay alert to traffic conditions

Night operations shall include adequate lighting.

Fall protection shall be used when employees are exposed to falls of 6 feet or greater.

Hazards may include:

• Open excavations
• Structures
• Equipment access
• Elevated work platforms

Protection methods include:

• Guardrails
• Covers
• Personal fall arrest systems
• Safety nets

Fall protection equipment shall be inspected before use.

Electrical hazards are common on construction sites.

Employees shall:

• Maintain safe distances from overhead lines
• Use GFCI protection
• Remove damaged cords from service
• Use grounded equipment
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures

Minimum overhead clearance distances shall be maintained.

Employees shall never assume lines are de-energized.

The company maintains a written Hazard Communication Program.

Employees shall receive training regarding:

• Chemical hazards
• SDS usage
• Labeling systems
• Protective measures

SDS documents shall remain accessible onsite.

Hazardous materials shall be stored properly.

Fire prevention measures include:

• Maintaining fire extinguishers
• Proper fuel storage
• Controlling ignition sources
• Inspecting electrical systems
• Maintaining housekeeping

Employees shall know extinguisher locations and emergency procedures.

Outdoor construction work creates significant heat illness risks.

Preventive measures include:

• Drinking water availability
• Scheduled breaks
• Shade structures
• Acclimatization programs
• Monitoring environmental conditions

Signs of heat illness include:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Loss of consciousness

Employees shall report symptoms immediately.

Good housekeeping reduces injuries and improves efficiency.

Requirements include:

• Maintaining clean walkways
• Removing debris regularly
• Organizing tools and materials
• Controlling slip and trip hazards
• Proper waste disposal

All incidents, injuries, property damage events, and near misses shall be reported immediately.

Investigations shall:

• Determine root causes
• Identify corrective actions
• Prevent recurrence
• Document findings

Corrective actions shall be tracked until completed.

Employees are prohibited from:

• Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Possessing illegal substances onsite
• Misusing prescription medication

Violations may result in immediate termination.

Post-accident testing may be conducted when appropriate.

Emergency procedures shall be communicated during jobsite orientations.

Emergency plans shall include:

• Emergency contacts
• Hospital directions
• Evacuation routes
• Rescue procedures
• Utility emergency response
• Fire response procedures

First aid kits shall remain onsite.

At least one trained first aid/CPR employee shall be available when required.

Safety violations shall result in disciplinary action.

Disciplinary actions may include:

• Verbal warnings
• Written warnings
• Suspension
• Termination

Serious violations such as entering unprotected trenches or bypassing confined space procedures may result in immediate termination.

All employees shall sign acknowledgment forms verifying they:

• Received the safety program
• Understand safety procedures
• Agree to follow company rules
• Understand disciplinary consequences

Acknowledgment forms shall remain in employee files.

• Never enter an unprotected trench
• Protective systems are required at 5 feet or greater
• Spoil piles must remain 2 feet from trench edges
• Daily inspections are required
• Ladders required every 25 feet in trenches over 4 feet deep
• Water accumulation must be controlled
• Utilities must be located before digging
• Only competent persons may approve trench entry

• Never enter confined spaces without authorization
• Test atmosphere before entry
• Maintain continuous ventilation when required
• Maintain attendant communication
• Use retrieval systems when required
• Never perform unauthorized rescue attempts
• Exit immediately if hazards arise

C&C Excavation and Utilities LLC is committed to protecting employees, customers, subcontractors, and the public through safe work practices, proper planning, training, hazard recognition, and continuous improvement.

Every employee has the right and responsibility to work safely and return home unharmed each day.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility.

This document is intended as a general safety program template and guideline for excavation, trenching, underground utility construction, and confined space operations. C&C Excavation and Utilities LLC should review this document with qualified legal, safety, and insurance professionals to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and project-specific requirements.